Editor’s note: The MLL Philly Player of the Week will appear regularly as the region gears for the MLL Championship Weekend, presented by Smartlink, at PPL Park on Saturday and Sunday August 24-25. Tickets for the two-day event are available at MajorLeagueLacrosse.com/championship-weekend/
By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 6/25/13
Boston Cannons defenseman Kyle Sweeney has been named the Major League Lacrosse Philly Player of the Week.
Seeeney, a Springfield-Delco graduate and former standout on three championship teams with the old Philadelphia Barrage, had four groundballs as the Cannons claimed a key 16-12 victory Friday over the visiting New York Lizards before 8,526 at Harvard Stadium.
The win was critical for the Cannons, who have won two straight since a tough 1-5 start.
“Obviously, I am happy,” said Sweeney. “We feel we really let a few slip away that we shouldn’t have. But everyone is encouraged and there’s a lot of positivity going around.
“We are back on track. I know that’s a cliché, but we’re focused and positive and looking forward to what’s next.”
The MLL standings show Denver (8-0) and Hamilton (6-2) ahead of the pack. The Cannons (3-5) are tied with New York and Rochester, one game behind fourth-place Chesapeake (4-0) and Charlotte (4-4).
“We have to win the next one and the next one and put ourselves in position to be in championship weekend,” Sweeney said. “Once you get there, anything can happen.”
Sweeney, now in his 10th year in the league, has stood the test of time. A former NLL standout with the Philadelphia Wings, he was a stalwart on Barrage teams that won MLL titles in 2004, 06, 07. Now, as he remains a strong veteran force, Sweeney would love to get to play in Championship Weekend at PPL Park in front of his hometown fans.”
“It would be cherished,” he said. “I enjoyed playing here (for the Barrage) and for the Wings in front of the home crowd and I am very proud of where I came from.
“It’s great to see how lacrosse has cultivated out of Philadelphia. I couldn’t be more proud and it would certainly mean a lot to get back.”
Sweeney did say he would play in Championship Weekend anywhere.
“Truly, all I care about is winning and if Championship Weekend was on the moon I would be happy,” he said. “But it would mean extra being in Philadelphia.”
Sweeney talked about how in Friday’s game his teammates included Conestoga grads Pat Heim and PT Ricci while New York featured two more Springfield-Delco grads, Greg Gurenlian (All-Star) and Drew Adams.
“Many very talented players have come from this area,” he said. “The focus (for the MLL) has to be grassroots, how kids have come from this area to become standout players in the MLL.”
Kyle Sweeney
Personal
Born: Apr 5, 1981
Position: D
Height: 6-2
Weight: 185
HS: Springfield-Delco
College: Georgetown
MLL playing career: Barrage 2004-09; Washington 2009; Boston 2009-present
